Flow-control system



March 5, 1929. c. w. LARNER FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM Filed March 9. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet March 5, 1929. c, w, LARNER 1,704,392

FLOW CONTROLA SYSTEM Filed March 9, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mare 5, -l29.

UNITED STATES 51,704,392 PATENT oFFicE.

CHESTER W. LARNER, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, .'BY MESN E ASSIGNMENTS, T0 I. P. MORRIS CORPORATION, A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE. u

FLOW-CONTROL SYSTEM.

Application led Marchv 9,Y

This invention relates to systems f or controlling the flow of a fluid and particularly to the regulation of the opening and closing of a fiuid`controlling valve. The chief object of the invention is to provide such a system in -which the operation and rate of movement of the valve will be automatically regulatedvso as to be as rapid as may be desirable and yet to avoid -water hammer or sudden and violent changes of velocity.

Where the flow of water lcontrolled is Ureat in quantity or head asin a water power pant, the operation of the control valves. 1s attended'withconstant danger of a too rapid or too slow valve movement either in opening or in closing. If the-valve movement is too rapid in closing it 'will suddenly decelerate the'flow and cause a dangerous rise in pres sure; if too slow it may permit destructive outflow lon r after it could have been safely shut oil'. imilarly in the openingof the valve a too rapid movement will often permit a. precipitous and harmful rush of curtlme.

Under ordinary operating conditions it may be possible for a skilled and experienced operator to approximate the. desired -valve movement to a greater or4 less degree but it is u hazardous to thus make the safety of a plant or pipe line dependent 'on whether an operator knows enough or is' skillful enough to correctly control the valve movement. And in case of an accident' the operator is excited and has no precedent to guide him and it is oftenimpossible at the moment to determine the proper'. valve movement. For instance in a turbine powerplant the turbine gates may be caught 'open and the control valve may then have to close across the flowing stream. In this casencaremust be taken in closing to prevent dangerous waterhammer, which would result from too rapid closing ofthe valve. VThe pressure rise in the pipe is closely related to the closing characteristics of the valye. Ordinarily, in a pipe line under pressure the maximum normal velocity is only a small fraction of the velocity which could be Yproduced by the pressure if the water were free t6 discharge into the atmosphere. For example z-,In a water power plant under 200 feet head the maximum velocity of the water entering the turbine where the valve is located Awould probably be about eet per second,whereas, the spouting velocity under 1920. -serial No. 364,541.

200 feet head is about 115 feet per second. Consequently, if the .turbine gates were stuck wide open with the velocity in the pipe 15 feet per second and it were necessary to close the valve, the plunger would move about et It is hence obvious that up to the point where the velocity in the pipe begins to be reduced the rate of closing the valve may be rapid, but from that point on the valve must close slowly or water hammer will result. It

is also obvious that4 the point at which .the

the velocity change of rate should occur depends u on the initial pipe line velocity, or, in ot er v'oi-(ls, upon the amount the turbine gate's rent while a too slow opening means wasted are open. Consequently, itis clear that the means adopted for slowing down thea-closing 3 of the valve toward the end of the stroke should be responsive to the increase of ve# locity through the Vvalve opening.

Also in the case of a. break 'n the pipe between the valve and the `turbine or in the turbine casing, such a break may, depending upon its'magnitude, increase the velocity in the pipe any amount -u to full spouting velocity, and hence the 'slbw closing characteristic'of'the valve' maybe requiredtotake 90 effect at any point ofthe stroke from wide open toward fully closed. Itfis therefore again obvious that 'this characteristic shouldV be initiated by the velocity through the valve opemng. A

Similarly with-the turbine gates'closed and the casing and pipe between the galve and the turbine empty'oionly partiallylfllled, if the valve is openedrapidly the water wilt rush into the empty casing and-when the casing is filled the velocity in the ipe 4 line must be suddenly checked, resultin in Waterhammer and if the pipe line is cfg-'any ceusderable length 'serious waterhammer may result-. This is particularly true if there is much length of pipe between the valve and the casing. The greater theempty space to be filled the higher the velocity in the pipe will become before the space is filled, and the higher the velocity becomes the greater the water hammer will be when it is checked. It is hence obvious that the valve should open only a slight amount at first and should then stop until` the turbine casing is filled or primed and should then resume and complete the opening stroke. The remainder of the stroke may be made rapidly. The means for resuming the stroke after priming should be responsive to the establishment of normal pressure in the turbine casing.

It is apparent from the toregoingthat the most essential operatinfv characteristics of a valve for use in a closed conduit are slow or damped motion at the end of the closing stroke and arrested motion at the beginning of the opening stroke for priming. Except for these provisions, both opening and closing may be rapid and should, in fact, be rapid because otherwise, in case of a broken pipe or other accident to the system, much damagemight result before the valve could be closed. The correct rates of the slow and rapid movements and the relative proportion of each depending onthe'characteristics o1' the system and the conditions of each particular emerency, are widely variable and often cannot Ee approached even by the most skillful operator and in most cases the actual conditions to be met are hidden from view and cannot be predetermined.

In the system of this invention the proper control and timin of the movements of the valve are automatically provided for and automatically governed throughout the entire stroke of the valve both in opening and in closing. While in the following description and accompanying drawings the invention is disclosed in connection with a specific embodiment thereof it is understood that modifications may be resorted to within the principles of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view in horizontal section of a hydraulic turbine power system illustrating a.

specific application of the system of this mvention, and' Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of apparatus illustrating one specific embodiment of this invention in controlling means of the power system disclosed in Fig. l, and is taken on line 2, 2 of Fig. 1.

In the specific embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawings a valve body 1 contains an internal cylinder 2 opened at one end and closed at the other and held in spaced relation tothe body 1 by radial ribs 3. The space between body '1 and the cylinder 2 forms a waterway or passage 7 through the valve which is opened and closed by a plunger f 4 sliding in cylinder 2 and controlling the ow to the volute turbine casing 39. The plunger 4 is sha ed so as to form inside of cylinder 2 a cylin rical chamber 5 and an' annular chamber 6. Plunger 4-is closed by admitting pressure from `waterway 7 to chamber 5 andexliausting pressure from chamber 6 to the atmosphere or some other region of lower pressure. llunger 4 is opened by reversing ,this process.

charge may be secured.

The operation of the valve Figure 1 requires the following (a) Admission of pressure to chamber 5.

b) Exhaust of pressure from chamber 5.'

c) Admission of pressure to chamber 6. (d) Exhaust of pressure from chamber 6. Considering separately the various means for performing these operations :-q

(a) Pressure to close the valve maybe admitted from waterway 7 to chamber 5 in any one of the following ways (l) Through pipes 8 and 10, valve 11 being closed and valve 49 used to regulate theA flow.

independent adjustment of supply and dis- (2) Through port. 8, valve 9 being used to regulate the flow.

(3) p Through port 8, valve 9 being omitted, and no means being provided vfor regulating the flow.

t is obvious that, since pressure must be supplied to chamber 5 to close the valve, the speed of closing depends upon the rate at which water is supplied to chamber 5. If the supply is throttled'by valve 9 or 9a the speed 0f plunger 4 will be reduced. Such throttling does not, however, have a constant effect as may be illustrated in the following way Suppose, for example, that chamber 6 is one fourth the cross-sectional area of chamber 5 and the pressure in waterway 7 is 100 pounds per square inch. Chamber 6 is exhausted to atmosphere to close the valve and the pressure in chamber 5 falls to 75 pounds plus whatever small force is necessary to move the plun er. Consequently the pressure producing ow through valve 9 orport 8'a is a little less than-25 pounds and the plunger 4 will close as fast as the water necesasry to fill' chamber 5 can be supplied under a pressure of about 25 pounds. .Y

As plunger 4 approaches its seat, however, the velocity through the valve opening increases andthe pressure on the nose of the plunger decreasesuntil finally the velocity reaches the spouting value and the pressure 1s reduced to zero. At this point the velocity in the pipe line leading to the valve Abegins to be checked and this is the point where the closing speed of the valve begins to be a vital matter. From this point on the valve should close slowly. The loss of pressure on the nose of the plungelhowever. makes it close faster. The pressure in chamber 5 drops to almost 0 and the pressure producing flow into Ichamber 5 through valve 9 or port 8 is now nearly 100 pounds or four times what it was. This produces double the flow and eorncqucntly the valve instead of closing slowly mores twice as fast. `It is plain therefore. that in order to secure damped motion toward the end of the closing stroke throttling of the supply to chamber 5 should increase toward the end of the Closing stroke and should be responsive -to increase, of velocitv through the valve opening. Such a rali-e, suitable for `use at valve 9 is shown, Figure 2, and w1ll be described later. Valve 9 has t e desired characteristic also. 1t is held ope i A'iormally by water pressure on the aree the exposed stem 12. llaud wheel 1? ,n s f are adjusted to permit valve il to close rt t3 to anY desired extent and tl will so close as the result of pressure drop in rhumber 5 resulting from increase of velocity through the valve opening. l

(b) Pressure is exhausted to open the valve from chamber 5 through pipe l() aud valve 11 with valve Sl closed. lt is therefore lnecessary that valre .9 mould close automatically' whenever valve 1l opens.

If valve 9 is used it will clostl automatically to whatever point the setting of hand wheel 13 permits and the small quantity of water it passes will i at interfere materially with t-he exhaust of pressure from chamber 5 through valve 11. It' only au open hole tirq` is used, however, valve 1l must be large 1enough to open plunger l and at the same time discharge the water leaking from chamber 6 to chamber 5 through the clearance around plunger 4 and also the Vwater entering through port 8.

In order to unseat plunger 4 with atmospheric pressure on thenose it is necessary (in the example previously cited) to reduce the pressure in chamber 5 below 25 pounds. As soon as the plunger opens slightly pressure begins to accumulate ou the noseI of plunger 4, increasing the pressure in chamber 5 and hence the discharge through valve 11 and plunger 4- mo'ves open more rapidly. To open the plunger slightly and hold it there for primingit is necessary to close valve 11 as soon as plunger 4 has opened the desired amount.

It. is obvious, therefore. that in order to secure the priming feature valve 11 must, close responsive to high velocity through the valve opening and must subsequently open f to- :natically when the system beyond the valve is filled and the velocity through the valve opening has been reduced to :i normal value.

.The rate at which the plunger 4 continues and completes its opening stroke depends u on the area of disc large through valve 11 W len open.

A valve of the desired characterstics for use at valve 11 is shown, Figure 2, and described later.

(c) Pressure to open the valve may be admitted from waterway 7 to chamber 6 in any one of the following ways (l) Through port 14, valve 15 being used to regulate the flow.

(2) Through port 14, valve 15 being omitted and no means being provided for regulating the How.

(3) Through a port or by-pass 16 in plunger 4, port 16 being so placed as to admit pressure to chamber 6 at the beginning of the opening stroke of plunger 4. After the plunger moves a short distance admitting pressure to the system beyond the valve,

vport 16 is cut off from waterway 7 and thereafter pressure is admitted to chamber 6 through the clearance space 17 between plunger 4 and cylinder 2.

(4) Through the clearance space 17.

lt is obvious that if the valve has the same pressure on both sides, a comparativel small reduction of pressure in chamber 5 wi I open plunger 4 and water will be Supplied to chamber 6 through clearance 17 if no other means is provided. 1f, however, the system beyond the valve is not under pressure, the ressure in chamber 5 must be very much r'etlhced before plunger 4 will open. In the example previously cited the pressure in chamber 5 must be reduced below 25 pounds even if the pressure in chamber 6 is maintained at the full 100 pounds. If cha g,

ber 6 is su plied bv leakage at clearance spatie.

17 it is oavious that, pressure in chambers cannot be maintained at 100 pounds. 1n fact, it will fall considerably below' because as it leaks in at clearance space 1T it leaks out at clearance 18 and hence the pressure in chamber 6 will probably be about a mean between 100 pounds and` 25 pounds. This drop in chamber 6 necessitates a corresponding drop in chamber 5 before the plunger will open and since it is impossible to drop the pressure in chamber 5 to atmosphere and still get an)v discharge through pipe 10 and valve 11. the condition-may result where itis impossible todrop the pressure in chamber 5 enough to open the valve.

This condition can be corrected by using the. port 14, but unless it is regulated by a valve such as valve 15 which will close to prevent water flowing into chamber 6 when chamber 6 is being exhausted to close the plunger, the water thus admitted will necessitate making pipe 19 and valve 20 considerably larger than would otherwise be necesof the valve.

than clearance 18 the result is equivalent to the use of port 14 without valve 15 and 1s open to the same objections.

Port 16 may beoutilized to supply pressure to chamber 6 for starting the opening movement of the plunger. It is cut oli as soon as the plunger has opened slightly but after that has taken place the system beyond the valve fills and builds up pressure on the nose of the plunger and it is then no longer necessary to maintain full pressure in chamber 6 in order that the plunger shall continue the opening movement. A slight difference of pressure between chamber 5 and chamber 6 will suiice and there is hence no objection to port 1G being cut ofi' and this is a decided advantage when closing the valve, because no pressure enters chamber G through port 1G until just before plunger 4 seats and at that oint the pressure on the nose of the plunger 1s lost and the closing movement will continue even though pressure in chamber 6 is raised due to inux through port 16. The area of port 16, however, should preferably be considerably less than the area of pipe 19 to" prevent undue rise of pressure in chamber 6.

(d) To close the valve pressure may he exhausted from chamber 6 through pipe 19 controlled by valve 20. Pipe '19 should preterably discharge to atmospheric pressure throughout the closing movement of the valve. The rate ot closing may be controlled by throttling With valve 20 but it is preferable to control it by throttling the inflow to chamber 5 through valve 9. If valve 20 is throttled a dangerous pressure may be set up in chamber 6 just before plunger 4 closes due to loss of pressure on the plunger nose unless, of course, port 14 or port 16 is used, in which case control of the stroke is lost just before plunger 4 closes due to .escape of pressure through port 14 or port 16 and it is at this point that it is particularly im ortant for the plunger to move slowly.

aving described separately the various methods of admitting and discharging pressure to and from chambers 5 and G and the relative merits of. each, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various combinations of these four elements may be made to obtain different operating characteristics Simplicity of control mechanism is desirable and it should be made no more complicated than the required operating characteristics of the valve demand.

I'f the valve is to operate in dead water thev exhausting, pipe 8 and valve 9 being omitted.'

The exhaust passages must, of course. be

i made much larger than the inlet ports This arrangement will give satisfactory operation in still water but is not satisfactory when flow occurs, because the time of opening and Yclosing cannot be properly controlled.

In the control system of this invention, as illustrated in the drawings, the. movement of plunger 4, in addition to the control by the operator, is automatically regulated by instantaneous conditions of flow to have thev correct damping on closing and arrest -d opening. Referring to Fig. 2, the operator has a three-way control valve 33 conveniently positioned in the plant and connected to selectively exhaust either pipe 34 or 35 through outlet'33 or to rest in intermediate position with both pipes 34 and 35 closed. To open the plunger 4 the control valve 33 is moved to close pipe 35 and exhaust pipe 34 which is connected at 31 to the upper end of regulating cylinder 3() for the valve 11 controlling the outflow through pipe 10. Exhaust of pressure from the top of this cylinder 30 causes the piston 29 of the regulating rod 27 to raise said rod by pressure on the under surface of the piston leaking in around the loose fit of the rod in the cyl1nder head at 30. The lifting of this rod 27 opens the outlet 28 and exhaust pressure from Within the valve 25 and cylinder 22 faster than pressure will be supplied through the loose fit between the rod and the cylinders 22 at 22 so that pressure in the Waterway 24 will lift the valve 25 and exhaust the fluid through pipe 10 from the interior of main valve 4 and cylinder 5.

When pipe 34 is exhausting through valve 33 this valve will hold closed the end of pipe 35 connected to the head ends of regulating cylinders 50 and 60 of valves 9 and 2O respectively. Therefore prcssure seeping in from pipe 8 through the loose fit at 50 and the loose fit of the piston 49 in the cylinder 5() Will be applied to both faces of the piston 49 so that in regulating rod 47 of valve 9 will be pressed to the left by the internal fiuid pressure on the end of the enlargement 37 the outer end of which is exposed to the atmosphere. This movement`of the rod 47 to the left will close outlet 48 and permit pressure to develop in the valve 45 and cylinder 42 by leakage at 42 holding the valve 45 closed and thus closing pipe 8.

Similarly with valve 20. pressure from pipe 19 Will leak through loose tit 60 and around regulating piston 59 permitting rod 57 to drop since the pressure at its lower end is substantially atmospheric. This closes outlet 58 and by leakage through loose lit 52 fills cylinder 52 and valve 55 with fluid pressure and closes said valve to close pipe 19.

With the pipes 8 and 19 thus held closed pressure Will be maintained in space 6 and the valve 4 Will open according as fluid is exhausted through pipe 10. The opening of the valve may therefore be regulated bythe outflow through pipe 10 controlled by valve 1l comprising the plunger valve proper 25. To govern the opening of this valve l1 a passage 36 is provided connecting the lower end of regulating cylinder 30 with the neck of the main valve 4 at 36. 1f the space beyond valve 4 is empty then as soon as this valve opens slightly a spouting velocity will occur at the polnt 36 dropping the pressure in passage 36 and lowering the pressure under piston 29 to drop the lower end' of rod 27 into outlet 28 and close valve plunger 25 by pressure through clearance 22', thus shutting ott pipe 10 and holding main valve 4 balanced in only'slightly open position. This main valve will remain substantially in this position until piping 32 and turbine casing 39 are tilled sufficiently to restore the pressure at the point 36'.' This restored pressure will then be communicated to the space underneath piston 29 which will be lifted to raise valve plunger Q5 from its seat opening the exhaust through pipe 11 and permitting the main plunger valve 4 to complete its opening stroke rat a rapid rate. The adjustable screw bolt 32 in the head of the cylinder 30 variably limits the upward movement of the rod 27 and thus adjusts the size of the passage through valve 11 when open.

The too rapid filling of empty spaces beyond the valve will 'therefore 'be automatically prevented. hut if on the openlng of main valve 4 the conduit spaces 32 are filled with water this danger is minimized, and no spouting velocity will occur to drop the pressure in the passage 36 and close val've 25 which then will be permitted to open without arrested nipvement and at the most rapid rate consisteid' with the velocity or pressure through the valve neck at 36. It is therefore evident that under. all conditions the main valve 4 will open automatically at the most rapid rate permissible under the instantaneous flow characteristics. A The operator does not have to be skillful nor give his close attention to prolonged and delicate adjustments of the valves but simply turns the three way valve to the open position,

The closing of the main valve is similarly a simple and automatically regulated operation. With the three way valve 33 in the close position pipe 34 will be cl sed and pipe 35 opened to the exhaust. of pipe 34 closes the exhausts of pressure above piston 29 and this piston will thereore remain in its lowermost position since its lower end is at atmospheric pressure, and

, )lun er 25 and valve li will remain closed.

The exhausting of pipe 3.3 reduces the pressure above regulating piston 59 so that pressure underneath said piston passing in through clearance 60 will raise the rod .57 to open outlet 58 and plunger 55 of valve 20, thus exhaustingr pipe 19 and reducing the pressure in the space 6 around plunger valve 4. Pipe 35 also exhausts pressure from the Th e el osi ug head end of cylinder 50 so that ressure on, the other side of the piston 49 will move rod 47 to the right (Fig. 2) and open plunger 45 of valve 9 to admit pressure from Water passage 7 through pipes 8 and 10 to the interior of cylinder 5. The rate of closing of the plunger valve 4 may be controlled by the regulation of its How and to accomplish this passage 36 is connected into the cylinder 50 near the left end at port 38 which is positioncd so that the piston 49 will close this ort in the closed position of plunger 45.` his connection of pipe 36 therefore will be shut ott' when valve 9 is closed for instance during the opening of valve 4.

As valve 4 closes from its extreme open position its movemeht has little effect upon the pressure at 36 until the passage through the neck of the valve becomes restricted enough to increase the this increase in velocity there will occur a corresponding decrease in the pressure at 36 and in rpassage 36 which when communicated to regulating cylinder 50 at point 38 will reduce the pressure to the left of piston 49 moving rod 47 to the left and restricting outlet 48 to move plunger 45 toward the left and restrict the passage through valve 9 so that the closing movement of the plunger will be slowed down. The closer the valve 4 approaches its seat the greater will be the velocity at point 36 and the greater will be the restriction of valve 9 and the retarding effect of the regulation so that the plunger 4 atthe end of its closing stroke will gradually and gently seat with a radual and gentle deceleration of the How an without any sudden or excessive rise in pressure. The first portion of the closing stroke will therefore be very rapid and the end very slow and this end damping will begin to take e'ect as soon as the velocity through the valve opening becomes high regardless of the position of the plunger 4. Thus if a bad break has occurred at the turhine casing, thedamping etect will begin earlier in the closing stroke than would be the case if the valve were closing with the turbine gates only slightly open because the volume of water passing through the valve in the former case would be much greater.

-With the valve control system Aof this invention, therefore, a fiuid control is automatically regulated in safe and efficient manner to avoid delay and at he same time to avoid undue rise in pressure and great rushes ot' flow. The operator has simply to move a single valve to the desired position and the control system is such that all the consequent movements of the parts will be automatically governed by the instantaneous condition ofv the flow in the system. At the same time'the control is such that the operator may interrupt, the opening or closing movement at any point and stop or reverse it Without impairing the automatic regulation which will continue velocity therethrough. With llO ' ins,

at all times. It is also possible with this system to automatically initiate the closing movement of the valve without the presence of the operator and for this purpose a pipe Lt() may he connected from the pipe to any desired point such as the turbine casing 39 wherein a sudden drop in pressure would indicate an abnormal and dangerous breakage and outflow. The resultant drop in pressure conn mu'nicated to the ipe 35 through pipe fi() will have the same etlict as turning valve 33 to the close position and will close the mai valve plunger 4 as rapidly as permissibie under the circumstances. ,A check valve il is provided to prevent high pressure in pipe il() from being communicated to the pipe 35.

The method of control of this invention and the apparatus of the specific embodiment shown ensure quick and safe operation of the flow control means under normal conditions and in emergency. Dependence on the per sonal skill and experience of the operator is eliminated altogether and this result is accomplished with an improvement in result over the best operation heretofore attainable.

l. In a system for controlling the How of a fluid the combination with a conduit casing havin a contracting portion forming a valve seat o a valve plunger having a tapered end forming an annular fluidv way Ywith said casmeans for moving said plunger comprisi ing manually controlled valve means, and

- a fluid the combination with a opening and means for automatically actuating said valve means to vary the rate of movement of said valve plunger.

2. In a system for controlling the flow of a fluid the combination 'with a conduit casing having a contracting portion 4forming a valve seat, of a valve plunger having a tapered end forming an'annular tluid way with said casing, means for moving said plunger comprising manuallyv controlled valve means, and means for automatically actuating said valve means to vary the rate of movement of said valve plunger according to the condition of the fluid in said conduit 3. In a system for controlling the ilow of a fluid the combination with a conduit, of a valve therefor, means causing the movement of said valve. governing means therefor, and means variahly regulating said governing means automatically upon occurrence of predetermined conditions to vary the rate of closing .said valve 4. In asystem for controlling the flow of conduit, of a valve therefor, means causing the movement of said valve, governing meanstherefor, and means regulating said governing means to vary the rate of opening or closing said valve by the condition of the. fluid in said conduit..

5. In a system for controlling the flow of a fluid tlievcomhination with a conduit easing having a contracting portion formmgvxl having a contracting actuating said valve means 'to vary the rate of both opening and closing of said valve plunger.

6. `In a' system for controlling the flow of a fluid the combination with a conduit casing Y portion forming a valve seat, of a valve plunger having a tapered end forming an annular fluid way with said casing. means for moving said plunger comprising manuallyI controlled valve means, means for automatically actuating said valve means to vary the rate of movement of said valve plunger. and means for automatically bringing said last named means into operation upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition in apparatus connected with said conduit.

7. ln a system for controlling the How of :1 fluid the combination with a conduit cas ing having a contracting portion forming a valve seat, of a valve plunger having a tapered end forming an annular fluid wa with said casing. means for moving said plimgcr comprising manually controlled valve means, and means for automatically actuating said valve means to vary the rate of closing movement of said valve plunger.

8. In a system for controlling the flow of a fluid the combination with a conduit casing having a contracting portion forming a vulve seat., of a valve plunger having a tapered end forming an annular fluid way withsaid casing, means for moving said plunger comprising manually controlled valve means, and means for automatically actuating said valve means to relatively retard a portion of the closing movement of said valve plunger.

9. In a system for controlling the flow of a fluid the combination with a conduit casing having a contracting portion forming a valve seat, of a valve plunger having a tapered end forming an annular fluid Way with said cas ing, means for moving said plunger comprising manually controlled valye means, and means for automatically actuating said valve means to vary the rate of opening movement of said valve plunger.

10. In a system for controlling the {low of a fluid the combination with a conduit casing having a contracting portion forming a valve seat. of a valve plunger having a tapered end forming an annular fluid way with said casing. means for moving said plunger comprising manually controlled valve means. and means for automatically actuating said valve means to relatively rctard a portion of the opening movement yof said valve plunger.

1l. The combination with a valve control ling the flow through a conduit, of means for lill operating said valve comprising means for retarding the closing movement of the valve by an increase in the relative velocit of Bow through only a portion of said con uit, said retardin means havingr an elementwhich automaticallyy has movement and is rendered operative during said opening movement. A

12. The combination with a valve controlling the flow through a conduit, of means for operating said valve comprising means for retardinpr the openingr and the closing movements of the valve by an increase in the relative velocity ot' llow through a portion of said conduit.

13. The combination with a valve. controlling the flow through a conduit, of means for operating said valve comprising means for retarding the closing movement of the valve by a decrease in the iluid pressure at a portion of said conduit adjacent the valve seat, .bsaid conduit having provision whereby said v ressure decrease is created by a change in ow velocity while permitting differential pressures simultaneously to exist in the same side of the conduit.

14. The combination with a valve controll ling the flow through a conduit, of means for operating said valve comprising means for retarding the opening and closing movements of the valve b an increase in the relative velocity of the iliow through a portion of said conduit adjacent the valve seat, whereb diferential pressures are adapted simu taneously to vexist in the same side of the conduit.

15. The combination with a valve for controlling flow through a conduit, the flow being under4 pressure above atmosphereI of means for operating said valve comprising means for retaring the opening movement of the valve by asrelative decrease in the fluid pressure at a portion of said conduit near the seat of said valve, said retarding means hav- .ing an element which automatically has movement and is rendered operative during said o ening movement.

16. he combination with a valve controlling the ow through a conduit, lot means for operating said valve comprising `neans for retardin the opening and the closing movements o; the valve by a relative decrease in the fluid pressure at a portion of said conduit on the upstream side of said seat. y

17. In a system for controlling the flow of fluid through a conduit the combination with a conduit having a wall with an enlarged portion and contracted end. of a hollow body in said conduit, a valve member sliding across the annular space between said conduit. wall and said hollow body and comprising a piston portion between fluid pressure chambeis` operating means for controlling the fluid .pressure in said chambers to move said valve, said system comprising means for aulomatically regulating said operating means by the .ithe rate of movement. of said `member on the a conduit having a Wall with an enlar ed portion and contracted end, of a hollow dy in said conduit, a valve member sliding across the annular space between said conduit wall and said hollow body and comprising a piston portion between tluid pressure chambers, operating means `for controlling the fluid pressure in said chambers to move said valve, said system comprising means for automatically regulating said operating means by the movement of the valve member so as to arrest the rate of movement of said member on occurrence of predetermined conditions.

19. ln a s 'stem for controlling the How of fluid through a conduit the combination with a conduit having a wall with an enlarged portion and contracted end, of a hollow body in said conduit, a valve member sliding across the annular space between said conduit wall and said hollow body and comprising a piston portion between fluid pressure chambers. operating means for controlling the fluid pressure in lsaid chambers to move .said votre, said system comprising means for auton'iati cally actuating said operating means upon occurrence of abnormal conditions at a portion of said conduit and rcgulaxting` said operatingr means by the movement of the vulve member so as to vary the rate of movement of said member on occurrence of predetcr,

mined conditions.

20. ln a system for controlling the flow of fluid through a conduit the combination with a conduitbaving a wall with an enlarged por tion and contracted end` of a hollow body io said conduit, a valve member sliding across the annular spare between said conduit Wall and said hollow body und coml'irisinur a piston portion between fluid pressure members,

operating means for controlling tbe'lluiftv pressure in` said chambers to more said valve, said system comprisirucr adjustable means for automatically act ual i ug said operating means upon occurrence of abnormal conditions at a portion of said conduit and regulating said operating means by tbc movement of the valve member so as to vary the raie of movement of said member on occurrence ot prcdetermined conditions.

2l. In a system for controlling the flow of fluid through a conduit. the combination with a conduit having a wall with an enlarged portion and contracted end. of a hollow body in said conduit, a valve member sliding across the annular space between said conduit Wall a nd said bollov body and comprising a piston portion between fluid pressure. chambers, valves .connected to said chambers to control the fluid pre-:sure therein` fluid pressure means for moving said valves comprising G5 movement of the valve member so as to vary auxiliary pressure chambers, and means for controiling the. supply of pressure to said auxiliary chambers comprising a connection to said conduit to vary said supply according to the pressure of the fluid at a point in said conduit.

22. In a system for controlling the 110W of iiuid through a conduit the combination with a conduit having a wall with an enlarged portion and contracting end, of a hollow body in said conduit, a valve member sliding across the annular space between said conduit wall and said hollow body and comprising a piston portion between fiuid pressure chambers, valves connected to said chambers to control the fiuid pressure therein, Huid pressureA means for moving said valves comprising auxiliary pressure chambers, and m'eans for controlling the supply of pressure to said auxiiiary chambers comprising a connection to said conduit adapted to automatically admit pressure to cause said valves to close said valve member upon the occurrence of a predetermined abnormal condition in said conduit.

23. In a system for controlling the ow of Huid through a conduit the combination with a valve for said conduit, of a control valve for controlling said first named valve, an auxiliary valve actuated by said control valve, and means for regulating the rate of opening and closing said conduit valve by varying the flow through said auxiliary valve.

24. In a system for controlling the iow through a conduit, the combination with a valve for the conduit, of a control means for actuating the opening and closing of said valve, a plurality of auxiliary valves govcrned by said control means and controlling movement of said conduit valve, and regulating means automatically governing the action of said auxiliary valves to produce a properly variable movement of said conduit valve.

25. In a system for controlling the fiow through a. conduit the combination with a valve for the conduit, of control means for actuating the opening and closing of said valve, fluid pressure operating means for said valve comprising a plurality of auxiliary valves governed by said control means and controlling the fluid pressure to cause the movement of said conduit valve, and regulating means automatically governingv the action of said auxiliary valves to produce a properly variable movement of the conduit valve.

26. The, combination with a valve controlling the fiov.' through a conduit, of operating means therefor' comprising a valve moved by the pressure of Huid from said conduit, and automatic regulating means for controlling said pressure comprising a connecting passage to said conduit adjacent said valve, and means operative on the occurrence t -m hwwmal condition in a portion of said conduit to automatically actuate said operating and regulating means.

27. The combination with a fluid conduit having a control valve operable in a cylinder therein, of means for operating said valve by the fluid pressure in said conduit, and means for automatically regulating the supply of fluid pressure to said operating means according to the velocity of the How adjacent the valve scat to retard the movement of the valve when vnear its seat without retarding the remainder of the valve stroke.

28. The combination with a fluid conduit having a control valve operable in a cylinder therein, of means for operating said valve by the fluid pressure in said conduit, and means for automatically regulating the supply of fiuid pressure to said operatlng means according to the velocity of the flow adjacent the valve seat to retard the movement of the valve when near its seat Without retarding the remainder of the valve stroke comprising a passage subjected to the fluid pressure in said conduit.

29. The combination with a Huid conduit having a control valve operable in a cylinder therein, of means for operating said valve bythe fluid pressure in said conduit, and means for automatically regulating the supply o Huid pressure to said operating means according to the velocity of the flow adjacent the valve seat to retard. the movement of the valve when near its seat without retarding the remainder of the valve stroke comprising a passage subjected to the fluid pressure in said conduit near the said valve scat.

30. The combination with a three way control valve, of auxiliary tiuid regulating valves controlled thereby, a fluid conduit having a iluid control means operated by said valves, and a connection between said valves and said conduit automatically modifying the action of said valves to prevent excessive rise of pressure in said conduit.

31. A system for controlling the flow of a iuid comprising a conduit having an enlarged portion, a cylinder therein and a valve operated by the fluid pressure in said cylinder, means for supplying said cylinder with Huid pressure from said conduit, and means for regulating said supply means to automatically retard the movement of the valve when near its seat without retarding the remainder of the valve stroke.

32. In a system for controlling the iiow of a Huid the combination with a conduit having a contracting portion, of a hollow body in'said conduit, a valve slidingly supported with relation to said hollow body to close said conduit, fluid pressure operated means for moving said valve and connecting means supplying Huid to said operating means, and means for automatically controlling said connecting means and varying the supply of uid pressure to said operating means to vary the movement of the valve on occurrence of predetermined conditions.

33. In a system for controlling theflow of a fluid the combination with a. conduit having a contracting portion, of a hollow body in seid conduit: a valve slidingly supported with relation to said hollow body to close said conduit, fluid pressure operated means for moving said valve and connecting means vsupplying fluid to said operating means, and

means for automatically controlling said connecting means and varying the supply of fluid pressure to said operating means 'to arrest the movement of the valve on occurrence of predetermined conditions.

34. In a system ,for controlling the flow of a fluid the combination with a conduit having a contracting portion. of a hollow body in said conduit, a valve slidingly supported with relation to said hollow body to close said conduit, fluid pressure operated means for moving said valve and connecting means supplying fluid to said operating means, and means for automatically controlling said connecting means and varying the supply of fluid pressure to said operating means to vary the movement of the valve on the occurrence of predetermined conditions of the flow in said conduit.

35. In a system for controlling the flow of a fluid the combination with a`conduit having a contracting portion, of a hollow body in said conduit, a valve slidingly supported With relation to said hollow body to close said conduit, fluid pressure operated means for moving said valve and connectingy means supplying fluid to said operating means7 and adjustable mcansfor automatically controlling said connecting means and varying the supply of fluid pressure to said operating means to vary the movement of the valve on the occurrence of predetermined conditions.

36. In a system for controlling the flow ot fluid the combination with a conduit having a contract-ing portion, of a hollow body in said conduit, a valve slidingly supported with relation to said hollow body to close said conduit, fluid pressure means for moving said valve, and automatic control means for said fluid pressure means adapted to retard the opening movement of the valve and hold it from further opening until the pressure in a. portion of the conduit reaches a predetermined amount.

37. In a system for controlling the flow of fluid the combination with a conduit having a contracting portion. of a hollow body in said conduit. a valve slidingly supported with relation to said hollow body to close said conduit, fluid pressure means for moving said valve, and automatic control means for said fluid pressure means adapted to retard the opening movement of the valve and hold it from further opcnirig until the pressure in a portion of the conduit reaches a prcdetcn mined amount and to then accelerate the Opening movement.

38. In a system for controlling the flow of fluid the combination with a conduit having` a contracting portion. of a hollow body in id conduit, a valve slidingly supported with relation to said hollow body to close said conduit, fluid pressure means for moving said valve, and :infomatie control means for said fluid pressure means adapted to first arrest and then accelerate the opening movement of the valve according to the decrease in the velocity of flow in a portion of the conduit.

Y 39. In combination with a conduit having a pressure operated main valve, of control mechanism for said valve including a control valve which is normally operated by manual control to move the main valve in either direct-ion at a variable rate, and means vvhrcby said control valve is automatically operated when a predetermined drop in pressure occurs beyond the main valve.

40. In combination with a conduit having a hydraulic valve and a pair of chambers in which differences of pressure are adapted to be created to cause said valve to be closed and opened. of a control mechanism for said valve including a valve body with connections to both chambers for exhausting pressure therefrom. and with a connection to a source of supply of pressure. a valve unit by which pressure is exhausted from one chamber and simultaneously supplied to the other. means whereby said valve unit may be controlled manually, and means whereby it may be operated automatically when a predetermined drop in pressure occurs beyond theI valve.

4l. In combination with a conduit having a main valve and a pair of chambers in which differences of pressure are adapted to be created to cause the. opening and closing ot the valve` control mechanism for controlling the pressures in said chambers and including automatic means for permitting the pres sure to build up to a predetermined point be yond the main valve before a full opening of the main valve is permitted.

42. In combination w'ith a conduit having a main valve arid a pair of chambers in .which diffrences of pressure are, adapted to be created to cause the opening and closing of the valve. control mechanism for controlling vthe pressures in said chambers and including automatic means for permitting the pressure to build up to a predetermined point beyond the main valve before afull opening of the .main valve is permitted and preventing an excessive risc in pressure during the closing 4movement of' the valve by regulating said closing movement according to the velocity of the flow between thc valve and its seat.

43. In combination with a conduit having a Y opened, of a control mechanism for said valve including a valve means` with connections to both chambers for exhausting'pressure therefrom, and with a connection to a source of supply of pressure, a valve unit by which ressure is exhausted from one chamber and supplied to the other, means whereby thc valve unit may be operated to open or close the valve, and means whereby the opening.,Y movement ot the hydraulic valve is checked until pressure is built up to a predetermined point beyond the valve.

44. In combination with a conduit having a hydraulic valve and a pair of chalutiers in which differences of pressure are adapted to be created to cause the valve to be. closed and opened, of a control mechanism for said valve including a valve means with connections to both chambers for exhausting pressure therefrom, and with a connection to a source of supply of pressure, a valve unit by which pressure is exhausted from one chamber and supplied to the other, means whereby the valve unit niay be operated to open or close the valve, and means whereby the valve unit is restored to normal position prior to the seating of the valve when the latter is being moved to closed position.

45, In combination with a conduit having,r a pressure operated main valve and means for operatingr said valve comprising a pair of chambers in which differences ot pressure are adapted to be created to open and close the valve and control mechanism for causing pressure to be supplied to either chamber and exhausted from the other. said control mechanism including means actingr automatically on the control mechanism to cause the valve to be cushioned as ity comes up to its seat while being closed.

16. ln combination with a conduit for liquids having a valve therein` means for opening and closing the valve and means operating automatically to temporarily stop the valve in a partially open position until the conduit beyond the valve i; substantially tilled with liquid.

47. ln combination, with a conduit having a valve therein, means tor opening and closing,r the valve. means fe'. automatically checking the opening movement of the valve. and means controlled by the n lid in said conduit beyond the valve for rendering said checking means inoperative.

48. In combination with a conduit for liquids, a valve therein, pressure operated means for openingr and closing the valve, and means acting automatically during the opening movement ot' the valve for controlling,r the pressure acting' on the valve to temporarily check the opening movement thereof until the conduitv beyond the valve is substantially filled with liquid, said means being adjustable to var v the position at which the valve is checked in its opening movement.

49. In combination with a conduit having a pressure operated main valve and means for operating said valve comprising,r a pair of chambers in which differences of pressure are adapted to be created to open and close the valve and control mechanism for causing pressure to be supplied to either chamber and exhausted from the other, said control mechanism including;r means rendered operative naar the extreme end of the stroke and actimr automatically to check the cxhaust from one of said chambers to cushion the final closiimr movement ot the valve.

50. ln combinatimi with a conduit for litluid ha ving a valve therein, pressure operated means tor opening and closingr the valve, and means acting automatically durirmv the openingr movement of the valve for controlling the pressure acting on the valve to temporarily check the opening` movement thereof until the conduit wyond the valve is substantially filled with liquid.

5l. A system tor controlling fluid tlow through a conduit comprising a conduit valve having; opening and closing tluid pressure chambers, and. means for controllinr the fluid for said chambers, includingr a supply passage from said conduit to said closing chamber, a valve for controlling supply of fluid to said closing chamber, a valve for controlling exhaust fluid from said closing chamber, each of said control valves having a cylinder and piston for controlling operation thereof, and a pipe connection between each of said cylinders and a point in the conduit which is adapted to have a region o t low pressure When the conduit valve approaches its seat, and whereby when a region of lovv pressure is created in said conduit said supply control valve is closed and the exhaust control valve is opened automatically.

52. The combination as set forth in claim 5l having an exhaust passage leading from. said opening chamber, an exhaust control valve disposed therein, a cylinder having a. piston therein for controlling Said openingchamber exhaust valve, and means for automatically closing said latter exhaust valve when the supply to said closing chamber is automatically restricted.

53. The clmbination as set forth in claim 5l having an exhaust passage leading from said opening chamber, an exhaust control valve disposed therein, a cylinder having a piston therein for controlling said openingchamber exhaust valve, and means for automatically closing said latter exhaust Valve when the supply to said closing chamber is automatically restricted. said latter means'including the pipe connection between the cylinders for controlling respectively the Huid supply control valve and the exhaust control valve for the opening chamber, said latter pipe connection also includingr a pipe with a low pressure point in the downstream side of said conduit.

55. A system for controlling fluid flow through a conduit comprising in combination a conduit valve having.,Y opening and closing Huid chambers, a passage leading from the upstream side of said conduit to said closing chamber, a valve for controlling the supply of Huid to said closing chamber, a valve for controlling the exhaust of fluid therefrom, cach of said control valves having associated therewith a cylinder and a piston, each of said cylinders having one o their ends in communication with the supply conduit and also in communication with a point in the conduit adjacent to and on the upstream side ofthe seat of the conduit valve, said opening chamber having" an exhaust passage, a control valve therein also havingr associated therewith a cylinder and piston, one end of said latter cylinder having communication with the other end of the cylinder which is valve for initiating opening or closing associated with the supply control valve, a of the conduit valve, and fluid connections etvveen said initiating valve and the other end of said cylinder which is associated with the exhaust control valve for the closing chamber, and

said initiati control valve also havin fluid connection with said pipe connection w ich is between the cylinder associated with the opening chamber exhaust valve and the cylinder associated with the supply controlv valve. f

, 56. The combination as set forth in claim 55 having the various control valves ofthe type having inner and outer casings spaced to form a relatively smooth annular Huid passageway and a plunger slidingly connected with the inner casing to form an internal fluid pressure chamber.

57. The combination as set forth in claim 55 having the various control valves of the type havlng inner and outer casings spaced to form a relatively smooth annular Huid passageway and a plunger slidingly connected with the inner casing to form an internal fluid pressure chamber, said plungers having openings therein to allow communication between the internal chambers in the down stream side thereof, and a pilot valve for controlling each of said openings, each pilot valve being controlled by the piston and cylinder respectively associated therewith.

CHESTER W. LARNER. 

